Arsenal are set to beat their fierce rivals Chelsea in the race for Spanish international star Alvaro Arbeloa, with the north London club set to make a January move for the player in an attempt to fix their defensive crisis, as reported by the Daily Express.

Both Chelsea and Arsenal have been linked with the former Liverpool star, who is expected to leave Real Madrid after losing his place in the club’s first eleven.

Reports in his homeland of Spain are now suggesting that current Real manager Carlo Ancelotti has told the veteran defender that he is free to leave the club during the upcoming winter window.

With Mathieu Debuchy having suffered a serious injury in the club’s clash with Manchester City, the Emirates Stadium club need another right back, and they are set to turn to Arbeloa to fill that hole.

While Jose Mourinho worked with Arbeloa before, it seems Arsenal have now won the chase for his signature.